There is no limit to innovation. Cisco has embraced that idea for more than three decades with our build, buy, partner and integrate growth strategy. Part of that strategy is investing in order to gain insights and drive new innovation. True to that spirit, we have just announced the next evolution of the Cisco Investments[1] platform and a set of investments in support of an exciting new investment theme. These announcements build upon the foundation of our current $2 billion investment portfolio, which fuels innovations across many domains and geographies.

In addition to our primary strategic investment activity, we are also allocating $150 million in theme-based investments over the next three years to explore new, disruptive markets, including: big data/analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), connected mobility, advanced storage, silicon, content technology ecosystem, and India innovation. The $150 million in funding builds on our previously announced $100 million plan to invest in IoE-focused starts ups and funds.

As we get to know each other you’ll find out that I’m a HUGE foodie. I love to cook and I drive my family a crazy with my cooking shows, recipe books, and celebrity chef sightings. But I think the thing I drive them most insane with is my ridiculous Ratatouille doll (2007, Disney Pixar cartoon). If you touch his nose, he talks. And the first thing he says every time is:

Most of us agree “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Unfortunately, this mindset can cost you dearly when it comes to your network. Like many small businesses, you probably don’t think about the network until something goes horribly wrong. Suddenly you are fighting fires when you could have been strategically planning. (And we all know which of those scenarios is least expensive!)

For the last couple of years almost everyone with a job has felt lucky to have it.The economy has absolutely forced companies to make cutbacks, hold off on investments and squeeze more productivity from their staff.Every small business owner I know feels personally responsible for the well-being of their employees, as if they were family.I”m betting you made sacrifices in your business to keep employees.And your employees likely responded with support.We all knew that times were tough and that’s the way it was.But it seems times may be changing. Read More »

Some of the individuals posting to this site, including the moderators, work for Cisco Systems. Opinions expressed here and in any corresponding comments are the personal opinions of the original authors, not of Cisco. The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be an endorsement or representation by Cisco or any other party. This site is available to the public. No information you consider confidential should be posted to this site. By posting you agree to be solely responsible for the content of all information you contribute, link to, or otherwise upload to the Website and release Cisco from any liability related to your use of the Website. You also grant to Cisco a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free and fully-paid, transferable (including rights to sublicense) right to exercise all copyright, publicity, and moral rights with respect to any original content you provide. The comments are moderated. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by the moderator.